Crunchy Asian Cabbage Slaw with Addictive Sesame Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy Asian-style cabbage slaw tossed in a flavorful and addictive sesame dressing. This refreshing salad combines green and red cabbage, shredded carrots, and green onions with a tangy dressing made from toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and optional Dijon mustard. Perfect as a side dish or light snack, this slaw offers a delicious balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a delightful crunch from toasted sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Slaw
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, fresh grated garlic, fresh grated ginger, and Dijon mustard until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine the slaw ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together thinly sliced green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, and thinly sliced green onions to create the base of the slaw.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared sesame dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Let flavors meld: Allow the slaw to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature or chilled, which helps the flavors to blend and the vegetables to soften slightly while retaining their crunch.
- Serve with garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle the slaw with toasted sesame seeds for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor. Enjoy the salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side or snack.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep sodium levels moderate and balance the dish’s flavor.
- Allowing the slaw to sit for 15 minutes enhances the flavor melding but do not exceed 30 minutes to maintain crisp texture.
- Dijon mustard is optional but adds a nice depth and slight tang to the dressing.
- Toasting your own sesame seeds intensifies their nutty flavor and aroma.
